Wrench



L. F. MEYER.

v WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a. 1921.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

. T all whom it may concern PATENT OFFICE.

LUDWIG MEYER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

' wnnncrr.

Application filed September 8, 1921. Serial No. 499,151.

Be it known that I, LUDWIG F. MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in renches, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to wrenches of that type in which the head is clutched by a handle when the latter is turned one way. and is released when the handle is turned the other way, and is especially an improvement on the wrench shown in the patent to Ludwig F. Meyer #1161064. In said patent a head is provided with a set of grooves on the outside thereof, and these grooves are engaged by ribs on a set of wedges which are operated by an oscillating handle.

It has been found that by forming the grooves inthe collar instead of the head, with the ribs on the outer side of the wedges instead of on the inner side, and providing shoulders on the head instead of on the collar, the tool is made more positive in operation and is generally superior in action and construction. 7

A wrench provided with these improvements is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan of they wrench. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Figs. 3 and i are top and side views of the head. ,Fig. 5 is a perspective of. one of the wedges. I 7

Referring specifically to the drawings, 6 indicates a handlefwhich is integral or rigid with a collar 7, the inner face of which is provided with a series of circular ribs 8, with intervening grooves, V-shaped in section. In thisv collarifits loosely a head 9 having socketslO to receive a nut or the like. This head is circular, and its periphery is provided with a series of inclines 11 forming shoulders 12 at the ends of the inclines. A corresponding series of wedges 13 fit between the inclined surfaces 11, and

the collar 7, and these wedges are provided on the outer side with ribs 13* and intervening grooves corresponding to the ribs 8. The wedges are curved to segmental form and have a rather slight taper, and in operation thewide ends of the wedges back or stop against the shoulders 12 when the handle is shifted to release position. The clearance between the ribs and grooves of the head and collar is quite small; just suffioient to open on the back throw, and the clutching action results from the friction when the handle is swung in the proper direction.

In operation, on the power stroke, the wedges are picked up by the friction be- I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb'. 7,

tween the same and the ribs on the collar, I and are caused to ride up the inclines 11,- I

therebyforming awedge clutch between the head and the handle. On reverse operation of the handle, the wedges slip down or back along the inclines, and the head is released. permitting the handle to be turned back for a fresh grip. The wrench can therefore be operated in confined spaces, and a very small movement of the handle will produce a grip or' release, and hence the nut can be adjusted to a ,fine position. As stated, it has been found by test that a wrench constructed as above described will give a quicker and more positive action than the patented wrench above referred to.

Although shown in connection with a wrench the same construction or principle of operation may be applied to various other toniatic clutch and release is employed, to connect an oscillating lever or the like to a head which is rotated intermittently.

I claim: I

1. A wrench comprising a collar provided with a handle, the'insideof the collar having a series of annular ribs, a series of types of machines or devices where an auwedges within the collar having grooves resting against the inclines and the outer sides of the wedges having a series of grooves receiving said ribs.

. In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUDWIG F. MEYER.

Witnesses:

' I JOHN A. BOMMHARDT, I

BESSIE F. PoLLAK. 

